From the Pleistocene period (one million years ago) released the first stage of the Popocatepetl volcano today, during his many eruptions have built a huge volcanic apparatus and currently is the fifth elevation of the Americas. An eruption that occurred approximately 23,000 years ago, destroyed the forests and formed large avalanche deposits reached 70 kilometers south of the present cone. This rash giant, was the beginning of a period of great explosion that deposited material called "xaltete" or "cacachuatillo", or according to the standard geological pyroclastic at distances up to 80 kilometers from the crater. Recent studies using radiocarbon 14, suggest at least two stages, including very active, one occurred 4.930 years ago and over 830 years ago. Another relatively minor eruptive stage, occurred in 1357, according to the chronicles report that prompted the name change, ie the old Xalliquehuac (sand flies) than Popocatépetl (hill that smokes).
activity of Popocatepetl began 730.000 years ago and was an eruptive process effusive type, ie lava flows, the activity of the magma body that has the Popocatepetl volcano is part of a process of this type, so that it poses no greater risk to society while maintain this behavior.
The observations made so far in the Popocatepetl lava indicate that the volcano has issued since late March 1997 as part of an evolutionary process over several centuries and is limited, so far, into the crater, is ie, not a fact apparent to the naked eye, so far does not represent a serious danger, except for those approaching the crater.
Volcanoes can have different types of rashes, but can be summarized in effusive or explosive. They differ by the material expelled and how quickly they do. In the former, the lava comes in small amounts, slowly, so their impact is slow, ie does not take people by surprise. By contrast, the second type of material erupted out in abundance and in a short time, giving it the character of explosive.
However, we must not forget that this stage can develop into an explosive and which are complex phenomena that are generated in a region of the magma chamber, inaccessible to direct measurement and only inferred by indirect measurements of compounds airborne and seismic signals.
studies carried out in this area are directed to know the likelihood that the latter phenomenon (the explosive phase) can occur, so that the population and the authorities take the necessary preventive measures.
Remember that Popocatepetl is an active volcano for many centuries and that surely will continue. In addition, the type of lava and activity seem to have the same characteristics as a small eruptive phase occurred between 1919 and 1927. For this reason, it is convenient to think of the dynamic behavior of the Earth, which suggests that any geological phenomenon can be described as cyclical, with quiet steps and other more active. Comparing
engineer chronicles Camacho, Dr. Fridland and painter Dr. Atl, the behavior of Popocatépetl is very similar to what happened from February 1919 until 1927, and presented from 21 December 1994 to today.
activity February 1919, a series of explosions inside the crater, which was occupied by a lake in 1906, the expeditions and observations made at the top of the volcano showed emission of lava inside the volcano, and violent explosions of 1927 that led to the formation of an inner crater with a diameter of approximately 800 meters and a depth of 90 meters.
Today, you can see the lava emitted in the southwest of the crater has reached the height where the holes were mentioned by Dr. Atl in studies that take place around the volcano in the early years twenty.
However, scientists say, the quantity of lava issued by the Popocatepetl, it would take some years to exceed the outer crater (over 300 meters high in the western sector) of the volcano. Also expected to be an active period very similar to the early twentieth century and there is some behavior of explosive, as it has been observed in the phases of December 2000 and January 2001.
changes in seismic activity and emissions gas from the volcano may be patterns that indicate changes in the type of eruption, so frequent measurements of the increase or decrease of the gas is essential to understand the intensity of the process.
order to make appropriate management of common terms used in volcanology, and understand the phenomena that occur at a rate of Popocatepetl volcano, we consider it appropriate to include a brief glossary of useful definitions in these cases. Explosions
directed
is a column of hot volcanic material (rocks, gases and vapors) and can reach a height of 25 to 30 kilometers. It takes the form of fungus, shells (solid) casting generally have a size of 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter or larger. Tefra
is the set of volcanic material deposited in a region consisting mainly of ash. Well known to the output of gas, steam and rock fragments (where are greater than 64 mm are called bombs or blocks) that fall near the crater.
Lava Molten rock more than 800 º C that runs slowly down the slopes of the volcano. The viscosity of this material is determined by temperature and chemical composition.
mud flows
combination of water from rain, snow or ice or ablation of permanently frozen soil, volcanic ash and earth that move mainly in ravines or near the volcano slopes.
pyroclastic flows of hot ash that travel at high speed on one side the volcano, may have a temperature of 450 º C.
Seismicity seismic signals from volcanoes are commonly associated with the ascent of magma through a hydraulic system that ends at the base of the crater or some sector of the volcanic apparatus. The signals are recorded by sensors, which suggest some phenomena of the volcano, such as deformation or process fluids or gases that generate vibrations flowing through the system or signal characteristics when sections of rock fracture.
In the case of Popocatépetl, has managed to cut the volcano and locate the hypocenter, these Data shows that this type of event, from December 94 until now, are mainly located in the central area of \u200b\u200bthe volcano at a depth of 0-10 km below the top, with frequent signs, weak and accumulated in the duct output.
Seismology of volcanoes
Throughout the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire are distributed numerous active volcanoes that result from the interaction of different tectonic plates, this dynamic process is the generation of a large number of earthquakes, they often can reach catastrophic magnitude.
A clear example of this process is found in Japan, where 45 active volcanoes have records of eruptions in historical times, in the same way, the Japanese islands and adjacent regions have often been a series of destructive earthquakes of tectonic origin.
A clear example of this process is found in Japan, where 45 active volcanoes have records of eruptions in historical times, in the same way, the Japanese islands and adjacent regions have often been a series of destructive earthquakes of tectonic origin.
According to studies on different parts of the earth's crust, it has been understood that the volcanic earthquakes are not only limited in magnitude when compared to the tectonic nature, but also give rise to shallower depths.
also has determined that volcanic earthquakes have a different mechanism in the generation of elastic waves and that they develop differently the tectonic, on the other hand, has recently been shown that the relationship seismic magnitude-frequency (cycles per second) is also different for both types of events.
volcanic earthquakes Overview
For volcanic studies, it is desirable to classify earthquakes according to the location of the hypocenter (where the rupture starts), their relationship with different types of rashes and nature ground motion.
Earthquakes can be classified according to the hypocentral location and type of earthquake, in:
* Earthquakes type A. * Earthquakes type
B.
* explosion or earthquake Earthquake followed by explosive eruptions.
* Tremors volcanic or volcanic pulses. * AB
combinations. Earthquakes
type
These are produced under the volcanoes at depths greater than a mile, generally in the range of 1 to 20 km, rarely exceeding 5 on Richter scale. The developmental pattern of seismic activity and seismic frequency of such events is called "swarm" like the B-type earthquakes and explosion, it is very different developmental pattern of seismic activity tectonic origin. Seismic waves are similar type A to those generated by tectonic events superficial nature. Earthquakes
These are produced under the volcanoes at depths greater than a mile, generally in the range of 1 to 20 km, rarely exceeding 5 on Richter scale. The developmental pattern of seismic activity and seismic frequency of such events is called "swarm" like the B-type earthquakes and explosion, it is very different developmental pattern of seismic activity tectonic origin. Seismic waves are similar type A to those generated by tectonic events superficial nature. Earthquakes
type B
These earthquakes originate mainly in the areas adjacent to active craters at extremely shallow depths, such as the crater of Mount Asama in Japan, Popocatepetl in Mexico and Halemaumau crater of Kilauea in Hawaii. The magnitudes of the earthquakes are small type B, the registration of S waves of the seismograms are almost indistinguishable and the movement of earthquake vibration consists mainly of periods in the range of 0.2 to 1 second. Since the frequency of an earthquake seismic type B usually increases before an explosive eruption, the is an indicator of domestic activity of volcanoes in Japan, Mount Asama, prediction was possible. Earthquakes
explosion
In explosive eruptions such as Mount Asama, a large number of blocks of lava and volcanic bombs are ejected ash and gases with strong detonations. One Vulcan type explosive eruption lasts several minutes, and the expulsion of large blocks of lava ends after 30 or 60 seconds into the explosion.
The maximum breadth or the magnitude of the explosion earthquake have a relationship with the intensity of the explosive eruption and is roughly proportional the kinetic energy of the eruption. Such events
contain longer wavelengths compared with those of type A and tectonic earthquakes, the earthquakes have not felt beyond the crater, the amplitude of movement exceeds the 1.000 micron at a distance of 4-5 km epicenter. The blasts or air vibrations (sound waves or shock waves in air) of explosive eruptions are recorded on seismograms.
gases and ash
In volcanology, changes in emissions of gases, ash and steam up patterns that may indicate changes in the type eruption or the magnitude of the events of Popocatepetl, making frequent measurements of the increase or decrease in these emissions are important for the activity of the process.
The amounts of sulfur dioxide emitted by the volcano are measured by a correlation spectrometer, which measures the absorption of solar energy by sulfur dioxide molecules, method of placing between the instrument and the light source The eruptive plume or gas, this type of measurement is usually land or air.
The output of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water vapor (known as fumaroles) traveling in the direction wind and can become concentrated in low areas or plains.
According to chemical studies, the ashes emanating from the volcano, since December 1994, are low toxic level. Ash logs, are made periodically to determine the characteristics of the ash, its variation, density, thickness, volume calculations and chemical analysis.
volcanic ash particles of rock materials that were part of the body of the volcano are formed by the enormous pressure they are under rocks and crushed inside to the observed sizes ranging from a few microns to about 2 to 4 cm in diameter. These materials are ejected from the crater and the wind scatters in the direction you have at that time.
Remember that from the moment that there is volcanic vents it takes the name of "rash" as geologically defined as the output of any solid material inside the Earth's crust, and then explain some features.
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